"We empower each other."

                       Sexism is real. Sexism is global. The fight against it should be too.

                      Co-founded in 2004 by thousands of activists and humanitarian, musician and U2 front man Bono https://www.one.org/us/person/bono/, the ONE Campaign  https://www.one.org/us/ is a nonpartisan, nonprofit international advocacy organization striving to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases with economic justice and equality. As part of a world leaders initiative millions of men and women launched the "Poverty is Sexist" action plan educating global citizens of the well researched and documented relationship between equal opportunities for women and extreme poverty. Did you know half a billion girls and women are unable to read? 62 million girls are denied the right to education. Did you know there are over 155 countries that have laws discriminating against women?
         "Poverty is Sexist "encourages all world leaders to create and support policies which provide educational and economic empowerment including equal representation in governments. Did you know in many countries women are still denied the right to own a business or property? Many women and girls are denied the right to decide when to give birth or whether they marry. Fighting hunger and disease is a daily reality for many girls. Did you know 40% of African women are anemic due to malnutrition which results in 20% of maternal deaths? 74% of new HIV infections in Africa are female adolescents.

      Making headlines this week Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau https://www.liberal.ca/rt-hon-justin-trudeau/  an outspoken feminist and  women's rights advocate responded to the campaign with an insightful, inspiring letter. A copy of Justin Trudeau's intuitive feedback to those of us who requested world leaders support through  ONE can be viewed in its entirety here: https://www.one.org/us/2016/08/25/trudeau_letter/

"The women behind the mission."

"Know how to learn. Then, want to learn."

-Katherine Johnson, American physicist, mathematician 

              On August 26th American physicist, mathematician and space scientist, Katherine Johnson will celebrate her birthday. Among her many accomplishments was devising crucial calculations responsible for putting our astronauts on the moon.
             Johnson's brilliant mind established the trajectory for the first Mercury Mission https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mercury/missions/manned_flights.html as well as Alan B Shepard's May 5th expedition in 1961. Shepard was the first American and second person in the world to ever travel into space and back. Katherine Johnson's calculations were so accurate that even after after the first computers were used in 1962 for astronaut and Ohio native John Glenn's http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/who-is-john-glenn-k4.html journey into orbit,  NASA https://www.nasa.gov/  requested Katherine Johnson double check all of the computers conclusions.
        Although Katherine Johnson may be readily recognized in the scientific community too many Americans are unfamiliar with her incredible story as a pioneering African-American teacher and mathematician. Making it's debut in January of  2017, HIDDEN FIGURES the movie based on the book of the same name features a remarkable cast lead by Golden Globe winners Taraji P. Henson (EMPIRE, Hustle & Flow), Octavia Spencer (The Help, Get On Up) and American recording star, Janelle Monae. The cast is rounded out by Hollywood notables Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons and features a musical score by acclaimed producer, artist Pharrell Williams and world renowned composer Hans Zimmer. HIDDEN FIGURES is directed by Theodore Melfi (St. Vincent )
              HIDDEN FIGURES, the amazing nonfiction book written by Margot Lee Shetterly is available here: /http://margotleeshetterly.com/hidden-figures-nasas-african-american-computers/



       

"Our time is NOW."

CDC  http://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/

                                             AMA       http://www.ama-assn.org/ama

          Rising sea levels and an increase in the intensity of storms are the result of human created and some natural global warming but perhaps the most serious consequences of climate change is the greater emerging threat of deadly diseases.
      As evidenced in the CDC( Center for Disease Control)  http://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/ chart above the relationship between heat, water and environmental change is unprecedented. New and old diseases once thought safe are re-emerging due to melting permafrost or disease spreading insects. The link to the CDC includes access to new information from the APHA (American Public Health Association) https://www.apha.org/  The video above is from a CDC- AMA (American Medical Association) http://www.ama-assn.org/ama webinar regarding Zika virus. http://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/
        The United States has taken measures to decrease carbon emissions, increase alternative energy sources and enact policies that reduce risk and avert future harm but more work is needed now. Contact your state elected officials to ensure legislation is passed or created for preventative protections, common sense actions and maintaining research funding moves forward quickly to safeguard our health and environment. Each individual state has its own considerations but collectively we need to push for immediate action.

   State representatives contact information can be found at USA.gov.

  USA.gov  https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

                   

     

"That is our home."

"The human brain now holds the key to our future. We have to recall the image of the planet from outer space: a single entity in which air, water and continents are interconnected.

 That is our home."- David Suzuki, scientist, environmental activist

                                                     

                 Established in 2012, GLOBAL CITIZEN has initiated over six million petitions, emails, phone calls and social media posts moving closer to the goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030. A global community of  advocates continues to put pressure on world leaders emphasizing efforts for policy change and financial responsibility. Hunger and poverty is reality for millions of children and families. In fact, GLOBAL CITIZEN  utilizes a combination of grassroots organizing and major action events affecting over 600 million lives with more than 25 billion dollars committed towards improvements in health, education, our environment and challenges facing women and girls worldwide.
                The 2016 GLOBAL CITIZEN Festival will take place on September 24th in NYC's Central Park. (See video above for performers.) The festival raises awareness and promotes activism. By doing something we already love we have the opportunity to benefit the lives of others. For more information regarding the 2016 GLOBAL CITIZEN Festival check out the following link https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/festival/2016/education/


               GLOBAL CITIZEN headquarters are located in New York City with offices in CANADA, the United Kingdom and Australia. How do small actions make a huge impact?  Find out how to get involved at GLOBAL CITIZEN  https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/about/who-we-are/